Brody Ramone: Live Your Life. Live Indie.

The City of Manchester in England is well known for its music scene. The 1960’s had Herman’s Hermits, The Hollies, Freddie and the Dreamers, and Wayne Fontaine and the Mindbenders. There was the now infamous Sex Pistols show on 4 June 1976 at the Free Trade Hall. Of the 42 people that were there, it spawned 80’s groups Joy Division, The Smiths, and members of Simply Red. As the 80’s came to a close the “Madchester Era” brought the Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, and The Stone Roses. And of course in the 90’s Oasis ruled, James had some success and got air time in the States, and any number of other bands also had their day. Not unlike cities here in the United States that have ebb and flow in their popularity, even in less prominent times, there still is a very solid and exciting music scene in Manchester.

Just outside Manchester, from a place called Bolton, comes another act that is creating significant buzz. So who is this new group you may ask? Ladies and Gentlemen, and I use the term loosely for some of you, may I introduce The Jade Assembly.

Founding member, lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary composer John Foster is the common thread of The Jade Assembly since 2008. Since the beginning, Foster’s personality, attitude, and sheer force of will have created a loyalty for the band. Its fan base is affectionately known as The Jade Army and fervently follows the band around Great Britain. The fan base is so loyal that the band actually sells “Jade Army” t­shirts at their gigs.

The Jade Assembly is a straight up, guitar based, indie rock band that’s sound may foundationally seem to be based on 90’s Manchester rock roots. However, through the use of lyrics, attitude, and as noted in a number of other publications, Foster is an individual with a “northern poets” heart. There is an honest candid fervor in Foster’s lyrics and delivery, which essence goes beyond mere genuine and is irrefutably authentic.

Lead guitarist Gareth Smedley’s fret work is stellar in the sense that often times when you hear a British guitarist there is a certain rhythm and tone that is decidedly British. Same with many a US rock guitarist, there sometime just seems to be a certain sound that you hear. In Smedley’s case, it is one of the more unique blending of both styles that creates an indelibly unique style that is particularly his. You at times can hear the lush bright Britpop string work. At other times there are muscular blues rock riffs you’d hear on American rock albums. Again, Smedley melds multiple genres and styles seamlessly.

Let us not forget the fine drum/bass battery work of Andy Watson and Danny Hayes throughout The Jade Assembly’s compositions that brings a lushness and an emotive foundation that amplifies the groups songs beyond mere composition.

Though The Jade Assembly has not put out an album, let alone an EP, there are nine solid tracks out there for you to purchase. The most recent songs released in February 2016 were Nothing Changes and One Last Time. Of their other releases stand outs for me are rockers; Colossal, Show Me the Sun, and slow burner Time For a Change. With their star rising across the UK both touring the pub circuit and securing more and higher slots at festivals, it would not surprise me if eventually, and hopefully, we here in the States will be seeing The Jade Assembly touring the US.

About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!) About Hunter: Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!) After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest. Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!)